The Vigil

It has been a month since catastrophe hit Japan, not nearly enough time to fully comprehend the tragedy, loss, and human suffering that is still taking place there. From the children who lost parents in the crush of the earthquake, to those whose loved ones are still missing after the tsunami, to the scores of workers risking their health by heroically attempting to stabilize the Fukushima nuclear complex — there is no end to the tragic stories.

The events which swiftly followed the massive earthquake and tsunami are a strong reminder that nuclear energy is never safe. The earthquake and tsunami were incredibly powerful natural disasters, but the on-going nuclear crisis is an entirely human-generated one, which should never have happened.

Nuclear energy is a dangerous distraction, and an unnecessary risk in the quest to power our planet. Clean, safe, affordable renewable energy is the only way to a prosperous and sustainable future, and the good news is that it seems Japan will be including a lot more of this type of energy going forward. For South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and the rest of Africa, this is an opportunity to learn from what has happened in Japan, and for governments to think much more carefully about the kind of legacy they will leave for their citizens.

So as we come together, volunteers, supporters and activists-alike, to reflect on the stories coming out of Japan, we stand in solidarity with the people affected by this tragedy, and look to a brighter future. The people of Japan are a courageous reminder that although our bodies may be weak at times, the human spirit is incredibly strong. Have courage Japan.

As this is a solemn occasion, we would ask that you wear dark colours, preferably black.

We will have a message wall at the vigil where you can write a note to the Japanese people. These messages will then all be passed on to Japan through our office in Tokyo. We would love you to add your voice to the messages we send.

If you are unable to attend the vigil, but would still like to leave a note for our message wall, please leave one in the comments section below. We'll then make sure it's added to the wall along with all the other messages.